We've always known that Leafy is a sweetie, a genuine heart-melter. ("I've got so much love in my heart for you...") What is emerging recently is that he HAS YOUR BACK.

He will defend you. He's notorious for telling parents of other people's children that their children DIDN'T MEAN TO DO ANYTHING WRONG! He will stand on a picnic table, gesticulating with passion, at the top of his lungs defending your six-year-old right to be in the Flower Club, because IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE if you a six-year-old in danger of being kicked out of the Flower Club. (Which by the way, is only for girls, but this is not personal, this is about Justice for All.)

He's picked out the little girl that he wants to marry. He's very different from my oldest, a young scientist who was genuinely shocked to discover that Chinua, if given the chance, would not prefer two Separate Planets for boys and girls.

"You wouldn't?

"Because then a lot of my favorite people wouldn't be there."

"I didn't say you couldn't VISIT..."

Leafy is a romantic, a gift-giver, and one day he will build you a mansion. (He may blow it up later, but that's another story.)

So I was touched but not surprised when Leafy helped me out after Solo broke my glasses in Trader Joe's.